Japan Expo has no less than 14 stages and about 20 areas dedicated to activities, signings or sports: facilities for all types of events. Let’s take a pre-festival tour!

4 halls, 14 stages, 20 activity areas

Hall 5B

Ichigo

Ichigo = strawberry
Cosplay, fashion shows, outstanding performances: the Ichigo stage features the best of the festival programming. With a stage 150 sqm wide, a 8-meter long proscenium, and 4 screens, up to 14,000 people can attend the most exceptional shows. It’s THE stage you have to visit during the festival!

Karasu

Karasu = raven
The Karasu stage programming is a J-music festival in itself. This 110 sqm stage entirely dedicated to music thrills up to 2,500 people. From J-pop to rock, electro, or visual kei, it offers a full insight of J-music, with today’s talents and stars to be.

Hall 4

Yuzu

Yuzu = yuzu (a type of citrus fruit)Anime, feature film, or video game world premieres, panels with prestigious guests, live drawings, and other outstanding events: the Yuzu stage, 98 sqm wide, with a proscenium and giant screen, welcomes up to 2,200 people who attend some of the most awaited events of the festival.

Nezumi

Nezumi = mouse
To learn about pop culture subjects or about Japan, or play on such topics, the Nezumi stage alternates panels and games, meetings and quizzes. Whether you’re interested in web culture, manga, animation, or Japan as a whole, don’t miss the expert participants who speak about their passion, present their projects, and unveils the behinds of the subjects you love.

Budô

Budô = grapes
3 tatami areas are dedicated to martial arts. So if you want to know what naginata is like or try aikidô or shorinji kenpô, that’s where you’re supposed to be!

One of those tatami area is a real stage: under the spotlights, champions and experts show you impressive demos of varied disciplines. The two others are dedicated to initiations, to allow you to find your own martial way.

Hall 5A

Sakura

Sakura = cheery tree petals
The Sakura Stage unveils the beauty of Japanese arts and folk culture over 111 sqm. From calligraphy to theatre, dance to music, come enjoy the most beautiful aspects of traditional Japan on this stage which has a hanamichi, a long extension on the side like the ones on kabuki stages in Japan.

Kitsuné

Kitsuné = fox
The Kitsuné Stage is the land of free cosplay: cosplay enthusiasts can come up on a 60 sqm stage with their costume on and perform as they wish and if they wish. No stress, no competition, you’re here for fun and so is the audience! All along the festival, theme cosplay shows are organized on top of free sessions.

Washoku

Washoku = Japanese traditional cuisine
The perfect place for foodies, the Washoku stage is at the heart of an area dedicated to Japanese food. It hosts famous chefs, both Japanese and French, as well as professionals of Japanese gastronomy who share their secrets during workshops.

Masterclass

In small groups (up to 30 people), discover or get a better knowledge of manga, animation, in short all that’s related to illustration, by attending the workshops of the masterclass room held by professionals and guests.

The same room hosts up to 120 attendees for cosplay masterclasses, for all those interested in cosplay, in making costumes, in creative hobbies, or in photo or video. Workshops are held by expert cosplayers.

Sora

Sora = sky
Want to test yourself? Confront your manga, anime, J-music culture to other fan attendees’? Sing at the top of your voice at karaoke? And why not win Jens to exchange against gifts at the same time? Then the Sora stage is here for you with many activities organized by associations.

Video

All day long, the video room is dedicated to showing anime, films, documentaries. Relax with your favorite series, watch the premiere of exclusive content, and discover rare works.

Hall 6

Kuri = chestnut
On the Kuri Stage, come attend panels about manga, cinema, animation or music, talk-shows with the festival guests, presentations and other shows.

Také

Také = bamboo
If her main subject is video game, the Také stage opens to manga, web culture, music, and all about pop culture. Surrounded by two big screens, the 64 sqm stage welcomes the festival guests and participants for panels and animations.

Jeux vidéo indépendants / Indie Video Games

This brand new stage has settled in the Indie Video Game Village, also new in 2018. The Indie Video Games stage invites indie game studios to present their games and organize activties and games.

Sumiré

Sumiré = violetMeet the guests at the area dedicated to signings. After going to the Signing Desk to get your Signing Ticket, eight Sumiré stages are ready for you, with regular autographs, photo shoots, or meetings with your favorite artists, and all the time great memories.

Puroresu

Puroresu = pro wrestling
The most striking stage of the festival: a real ring where Japanese and European wrestlers fight spectacularly. The ring also welcomes initiations where the attendees can have a go at the wrestling adventure: a unique experience and amazing sensations!

Azuki

Azuki = red beanMascots are trendy and now have their own stage! Coming from Japan, they represent their cities or regions, present them to you and invite you to have fun with them. Come dance, sing, and laugh with them! Other mascots of famous characters are joining them too.